In general, the city buses (Gonggong Qiche) provide the cheapest way to get around most cities. The cost is 50 fen (5 jiao) per trip, generally inside the 3rd ring road; generally outside the 3rd ring you pay 50 fen for the first 3 stations, and then an additional 30 fen for each subsequent 3 stops.
The buses can be a very interesting experience for a foreigner. Few foreigners take the bus but for those who do it is definitely a cultural experience. Best advice here is to AVOID RUSH HOUR PERIODS.
The routes the buses follow can take a while to learn; each bus has a number which corresponds to the route it follows. An important thing to learn about the buses is where they stop; sometimes they can stop a long way away from where you want to be.
To get on the bus, you need the EXACT fare or a bus pass. Put the fare in the toll slot at the front door and climb aboard. Expect stares.
Exit only through the rear door of the bus.
There is no waiting in line/queuing when getting on a bus. You can push your way through the crowd to get on. If you don't, often the bus will just leave. Seriously. Or you will allow everyone to go in front of you and then the bus will be full and this scenario could go on an on until quite late in the evening when there are slightly fewer people queuing.
Mini Buses
Mini buses (Xiao Gonggong) are between the comfortable taxis and crowded buses. The xiao gonggong will usually follow a regular bus route with some small variations depending on the individual drivers.
You will see many of these driving up and down the streets with a driver and a helper usually yelling the number of the xiao ba out the window trying to get people to come in.
The number corresponds to the normal bus number which the xiao gonggong follows. This is how you tell which one to take. The number is also displayed in the window of the bus. The fare depends on how far you wish to go and varies from 1 to 6 Yuan. They can be very convenient at times especially when a normal bus is full--and they are pretty cheap.
They are only in major cities and usually stop working about 22-23:00.
Taking these little buses is generally painless; you will usually get a seat, but sometimes the seat might be falling apart or on the engine which is bad in the summer and good in the winter. Be prepared though for some unique driving, these buses are competitive for people with other buses on the same route and they can race around the busy streets with little regard for their passengers.
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